The new generation of Apple Silicon processors arrives in the iPad Pro range
Apple revealed its next generation of Apple Silicon processors during its special “Let Loose” event in May. As expected, the renewed iPad Pro series is equipped an M4 chip so powerful that it is able to compete with the processors in any laptop and desktop computer. The M4 chip is a real beast specifically designed to provide support for artificial intelligence.
The Apple Silicon M4 chip is manufactured using TSMC’s second-generation 3-nanometer architecture technique and features. a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU and Neural Engine with exciting new features to support multiple performance, AI, and energy efficiency features.
M4 chip: specifications and hardware
Apple somehow managed to continue to increase the power and performance of its latest generation M4 processors far surpassing the M3 chip and the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips presented at the end of 2023. It didn’t seem possible but… yes, Apple has done it again.
The M4 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that raises the bar for power efficiency for Apple’s chips and enables the incredibly thin design of the iPad Pro.
Technological advancements in the development of the M4 chip have facilitated the implementation of up to 28 billion transistors. Below we indicate all the specifications of its CPU, GPU and Neural Engine.
All the features and technical specifications of the Apple Silicon M4 chip
CPU
Apple implemented in its M4 chip 50% faster processor than previous generation M2 chip in 2022 iPad Pro. How did he achieve this? Thanks to the inclusion of more cores and TSMC’s innovative 3 nanometer technique which, until now, remains exclusive to Apple.
The processor of the M4 chip is composed of 10 cores with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. A processor with superior branch prediction capabilities, larger decoding and execution engines, and an optimized execution engine in efficiency cores.
GPU
The M4 chip’s GPU is based on the M3 chip architecture and uses technology that dynamically distributes local memory on hardware to optimize its performance. It is so powerful that it allows you to enjoy much more realistic shadows and reflections in video game graphics.
Additionally, M4 chip GPU is 4x faster than M2 chip GPU and has features hardware-accelerated ray tracing (laser trace) and has 10 hearts. This GPU is much more efficient, delivering the same performance as the M2 chip using half the power.
Neural engine
The CPU and GPU of the Apple Silicon M4 chips support more than exciting performance. And since power without control is useless, the company led by Tim Cook also formed big improvements in its Neural Engine.
This Neural Engine is specially designed to accelerate AI processes. But that’s not all. It is also the most powerful neural engine in Apple history. He is able to perform up to 38 billion operations per second.
The arrival of the M4 chip on the iPad Pro
Apple presented two spectacular iPad Pros in 2024
The M4 chip makes the new 2024 iPad Pro models much more powerful than their predecessors. Furthermore, reduces your energy consumption and it’s better for the environment.
Johnny Srouj, senior vice president of hardware technologies at Apple, said that “the new iPad Pro with M4 chip is a perfect example of how manufacturing the best in-house chips allows us to create revolutionary products.” In a way, the M4 chip helped make the iPad Pro is much thinner, more efficient and, of course, much more powerful.
Finally, it’s also worth noting that the M4 chip’s media engine makes it easier to support video formats. H.264, HEVC, AV1 and ProRes.
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